AS A MEMBER OF THE COALITION TO REPEAL THE 8TH AMENDMENT AND THE NATIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY CAMPAIGN TOGETHER FOR YES, WE WERE PROUD TO PLAY OUR PART IN THE SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN TO REMOVE THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT FROM THE IRISH CONSTITUTION IN 2018.

WE ARE CALLING ON WESTMINSTER TO REPEAL SECTIONS 58 AND 59 OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSONS ACT. THIS WILL DECRIMINALISE ABORTION ACROSS THE UK, INCLUDING NORTHERN IRELAND

THE AIMS OF THE LONDON-IRISH ABORTION RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

Our aim is to bring people in London together to campaign for free, safe, legal abortion by fundraising, policy & advocacy, direct action, establishing partnerships with relevant people and organisations in the UK and building awareness through media and communication.

To lift the stigma and silence surrounding abortion and women’s reproductive healthcare choices through educational programmes and awareness raising projects and by facilitating people to share their abortion experiences in supportive and empowering environments.

To promote broad national support for the introduction of extensive abortion legislation in Ireland by Dáil Éireann following the result of the 25 May 2018 referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment from the Irish Constitution

To continue to campaign until abortion is available for all people in Ireland, including those whosecircumstances will not fall within the bounds set by the new law

To push for decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland and the introduction of extensive abortion legislation by the Northern Ireland Assembly

To ensure the health of women in pregnancy is protected in line with international human rights standards

To educate the public and policymakers about the need for access to free, safe and legal abortion options across the island of Ireland for all who need it, regardless of citizenship or financial capacity, in line with provision of other basic healthcare options

To mobilise support nationally from a diverse range of groups, organisations, trade unions, communities and individuals for the right to choose in pregnancy.

To promote the provision of relevant up-to-date information to support evidence-based policy-making and to challenge anti-choice rhetoric that threatens reproductive freedom.

8 Reasons to Repeal the 8th - ABORTION RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

Here is a simple breakdown of why it was necessary to repeal the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution. It is by no means all of the reasons.

The 8th Amendment equates the life of a woman to that of an embryo.

The vast majority of women who want and need abortions are unable to access them in Ireland under interpretations of this law.

Women have already died in Ireland having been denied life-saving abortion procedures.

At least 170,000 women have travelled to other countries to procure abortions since 1980.

Thousands of women are unable to travel for abortion services due to family, legal status, financial situation, or health.

People who procure abortion within the country risk a 14 year jail term. Doctors can be jailed too.

The majority of people in Ireland support much wider access to abortion than is permitted under the 8th Amendment.

The life and health of a pregnant woman has a much greater value than our Constitution places on it.

8 REASONS TO REPEAL THE 8TH - THE COALITION TO REPEAL THE 8TH AMENDMENT

It prohibits abortion in all cases except where doctors believe a woman’s life is at risk.

It forces 10 women and girls a day to leave Ireland for a medical procedure they should be able to access here.

It discriminates against women and girls who cannot travel.

It makes an unworkable and dangerous distinction between a pregnant woman’s life and her health.

It makes abortion, including the use of abortion pills, a criminal offence.

It creates an unequal health system where a pregnant woman has only a qualified right to health.

It violates international human rights standards on women’s rights

It does not reflect contemporary public opinion.

PUBLIC OPINION IN IRELAND

On 25 May 2018, the referendum to remove the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution of Ireland was passed by a landslide, with 66.4% voting YES for Repeal.

The turnout was 64.1%, the third highest for a referendum in Ireland since the adoption of the Constitution in 1937.

39 out of 40 constituencies voted YES for Repeal

Exit polls indicated that all age groups voted YES for Repeal, with the sole exception of voters over 65. Support for change was overwhelming among the youngest voters, with 87% of those aged 18-24 voting YES for repeal.

The referendum results reflected the results of the third poll released by Amnesty International in November 2017 which was based on the ballot wording put to the Citizens’ Assembly in April 2017.

60% believed that women should have access to abortion on request, either outright or within specific gestational limits.

People’s support was broadly consistent across all age groups, regions and demographics.

89% wanted women to have access to abortion when their health is at risk, 85% when they are pregnant as a result of rape, and 81% where there is a diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality (81%).

64% wanted women to have access to abortion where there is a significant foetal abnormality that is not likely to be fatal and 57% based on the woman’s socio-economic circumstances.